Godwin Gauci on behalf of Cauchi Poultry Ltd, Mario Caruana on behalf of Lumach Ltd, Philip Cauchi on behalf of Sun Valley Farm Operators Ltd, Joseph Chetcuti on behalf of Kit Farm, Francis Muscat on behalf of Della Grazia Farm, Raymond d’Anastasi on behalf of Tar-Remel Farm, Anthony Fenech and George Fenech on behalf of St Anthony Farm and Brian Camilleri on behalf of Golden Yolk Farm filed the letters in the First Hall of the Civil Court, reports Malta Independent.

In the writ, the farmers said that the government had informed them that the subsidies they received would be raised due to the international crises that had led to a sharp hike the price of poultry feed.

The subsidy for chicken broilers was to increase from €0.498 to €0.591 per chicken while the subsidy for eggs was to remain at the rate established last year over dozen eggs.

However, the farmers said the government had failed to pay them the subsidy for the period from March to June.

Furthermore, they pointed out, they have absorbed the increase in price of poultry feed without increasing the price of the final product causing a disastrous impact on their business.

In the writ, they called upon the government to pay them the subsidy within one week and also held the government responsible in damages for the harm caused to their businesses.

Dr Owen Bonnici signed the letters.